Urinary Catheter Management
Select a Skill:
- » Inserting an Indwelling Urinary Catheter in a Female Patient
- » Inserting an Indwelling Urinary Catheter in a Male Patient
- » Irrigating a Urinary Catheter
- » Performing Intermittent Straight Catheterization
- » Obtaining a Specimen from an Indwelling Urinary Catheter
- » Removing an Indwelling Urinary Catheter
- » Caring for a Suprapubic Catheter
Take the Review Test:
Review Test
1. Which observation indicates that instruction given to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) in caring for a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter has been effective?
2. While setting up the sterile field in preparation for inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, a male patient is incontinent of urine over most of the supplies. What action would the nurse take to reduce the patient’s risk for infection?
3. When collecting a urine specimen from an indwelling urinary catheter, which action is most likely to ensure that sufficient urine is collected?
4. Which instruction might the nurse give to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) helping to care for a patient receiving bladder irrigation?
5. Which action will the nurse implement to reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in a male patient with an indwelling urinary catheter?
6. Which action would the nurse take to minimize a patient’s risk for injury during urinary catheter irrigation?
7. Which action would the nurse take to reduce the risk for a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter?
8. When preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter in a male patient, it is important for the nurse to do what?
9. The nurse instructs nursing assistive personnel (NAP) regarding proper technique for intermittent straight catheterization of a male patient. Which statement made by NAP indicates that the instruction was effective?
10. Which measure may be taken to minimize the staff’s risk for infection from a urine specimen?
11. Which action would the nurse take to manage continuous urinary catheter irrigation for a patient whose urine is bright red and contains clots?
12. A patient with a suprapubic catheter is complaining of pain. What will the nurse do first to help this patient?
13. When preparing to discharge a patient who had an indwelling urinary catheter removed 24 hours ago, the nurse would offer patient education regarding which common complication?
14. Which nursing action reduces the risk of injury in a patient with a suprapubic catheter?
15. What is the primary reason the nurse applies sterile gloves rather than clean ones when caring for a patient with a newly inserted suprapubic catheter?
16. Which nursing action minimizes a patient’s risk for injury during removal of an indwelling urinary catheter?
17. Which action would best minimize a patient’s risk for infection during removal of an indwelling urinary catheter?
- The nurse or nursing assistive personnel (NAP) removing the catheter must employ clean technique.
- A registered nurse, not NAP, must remove the catheter.
- Catheter removal must be executed within 10 minutes of beginning the procedure.
- Catheter removal must take place within 5 days of catheter insertion.
18. Which action is most important in reducing the risk for infection in a patient receiving open intermittent irrigation of a urinary catheter?
19. The nurse has completed an intermittent straight urinary catheterization of a female patient. Which action would the nurse delegate to nursing assistive personnel (NAP)?
20. While performing an intermittent straight urinary catheterization of a female patient, the nurse inadvertently inserts the catheter into the patient’s vagina. Which action would the nurse take next?
21. Which statement might the nurse make to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) assigned to care for a patient with an established suprapubic catheter?
22. A newly inserted suprapubic catheter becomes dislodged. What action should the nurse perform first?
23. While attempting to perform a straight catheterization for a male patient, the nurse advances the catheter 3 to 4 inches into the meatus but observes no urine flow. Which action would the nurse take at this time?
24. Which statement might the nurse make to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) caring for a patient who has just had an indwelling urinary catheter removed?
25. Which statement might the nurse make to nursing assistive personnel (NAP) before delegating the collection of a routine urine sample from a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter?
- “Does the patient understand why the specimen is needed and why we cannot obtain it from the Foley bag?”
- “See if the catheter is causing the patient any problems and if he is having any pain.”
- “Please get two sterile urine collection containers from the utility room.”
- “Let me know if the urine contains blood or sediment, or appears cloudy.”
26. What is the best reason for the nurse to instruct a male patient to take slow, deep breaths during insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter?
27. During intermittent open bladder irrigation, a patient complains of pain. Which action would the nurse take first?
28. A female patient placed in the dorsal recumbent position for the insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter tells the nurse that she “doesn’t feel comfortable in this position” and that her “back really hurts.” What is the nurse’s best response?
- Reassure the patient that the procedure will take only a few minutes.
- Promise to reposition the patient as soon as the catheter has been inserted.
- Reposition the patient in a side-lying position, with her upper leg flexed at the knee and hip.
- Explain to the patient that the position will allow the catheter insertion to be more efficient.
29. The nurse has completed the initial inspection of the patient’s perineum and is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action would the nurse complete next?
30. Which action(s) would minimize the patient’s risk for injury during insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter?
- Assessing the patient for allergies related to latex, antiseptic, tape, and/or iodine-based substances
- Thoroughly cleansing the patient’s perineal area with povidone-iodine solution before inserting the catheter
- Performing proper hand hygiene and applying gloves before inserting the catheter
- Terminating the insertion if the patient reports pain at any time during the procedure
31. Why does the nurse need to keep the urine sterile while obtaining a sample from an indwelling urinary catheter?
- Sterile technique protects the patient from microorganisms in the urine.
- Sterile technique protects the nurse from microorganisms in the urine.
- Sterile technique reduces the amount of pain caused by the procedure.
- Sterile technique ensures that microorganisms in the specimen are from the urine, and not the result of contamination.
32. Which action will ensure that a sterile urine specimen is handled properly in order to help obtain reliable results?
33. Why does the nurse cleanse a female patient’s perineum before inserting an intermittent urinary catheter?
34. Which is not an expected outcome on a first voiding after catheter removal?
35. Which statement best illustrates the nurse’s understanding of the role of nursing assistive personnel (NAP) when inserting an indwelling urinary catheter in a female patient?
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